Tuesday, May 18, 2010

It thrills me to share with you this Woodland Fairy Birthday Party designed by Kate Landers Events, LLC!

The party took place in the "enchanted" woods of the client's back yard (we had to move to a less "wooded" area due to too much poison ivy that had grown since the original party date--weeks back--which had to be pushed forward due to illness), and the weather could not have been more beautiful!

The color-scheme was a mix of natural browns and greens, soft creams and whites, with the birthday girl's favorite colors of pink and red.

Kori graciously re-designed their original woodland fairy invitation into something custom for us, to match our pink, red, green and brown color scheme, and also to mimic the type of trees the girls would be surrounded by during the party.

Needless to say, they did an amazing job (check out these scallop-edged return address labels!), and we couldn't be more thrilled with such a perfect introduction to the party theme for the guests.

You will see other darling items (like name tags and custom fairy food signs) from Paper & Pigtail throughout this post, which will be linked directly to their shop if you wish to purchase any for your own woodland fairy party!

As with all of my events, I like the children to be encouraged to use their imaginations, and this party was no exception.

We wanted each guest to feel as if they were a woodland fairy themselves, so we had Henry & Grace Designs custom created fairy frocks, hair garlands and wands.

They girls would find these hanging from the trees, standing in a green bubble-glass jug, hiding behind a rock in the woods, or even laying on their plate at the table...finding each piece of their own fairy costume was an activity in and of itself!

Each fairy frock and garland was created using the same materials, all with the lovely green silk vines and pink flowers, but the colors of tulle and ribbon were all unique, so no two were ever exactly alike.

Ireland's fairy frock and garland was created using pale pink and ivory.

Violet's fairy frock and garland was created in a vivid red and rosy pink.

Ava's fairy frock and garland was created in a rich dark chocolate brown and soft pink.

Elle's fairy frock and garland (not shown because this birthday girl was already wearing when we were setting up!!!) was created using the reds and pinks and ivory, and a hint of brown as well. Stunning indeed!

Girls were also each given a pair of our whimsical fairy wings, and let me tell you once they were on, they didn't come off!

We wanted a very whimsical feel, so strands of red felt mini bunting were strung casually along the tree branches near the table.

The tablescape was created using a floor length chocolate brown table covering, custom made toad stools were used for seating (yes, red with white spotted pillow tops and ivory "stems" straight to the ground!), and tableware consisted of our favorite Rice melamine soft pink tumblers and plates, along with red flatware and green cloth napkins folded under each plate.

The most precious trio of toad stools was created by the lovely Miss Jane, which served as the centerpiece.

My personal favorite detail is the fairy door on the largest toadstool, and the pink butterfly on top.

Simply charming!

We created a darling wreath hung by beautiful double-faced pink satin ribbon to hang over the table, adding instant height and sort of pulling together the treetops and toad stools together!

The girls enjoyed the most spectacular fairy feast on a table we designed to mimic the enchanted forest floor.

The table was covered with a green moss table runner, food was displayed on wooden "stumps" and personalized with wooden letters for the birthday girl, Elle.

You will notice tall grass, bundles of twigs and flowers, and a couple of sparkling green butterflies, that almost blend right if it weren't for their sparkled coating!

The menu was all sweets, but with an earthy, fairy theme of course!

Each girl was given a chocolate "bird's nest" to eat out of--incredibly realistic looking, and delicious!

The nests also served as "bowls" for the "create your own trail mix" station.

"Fairy Flakes"(coconut), "Chipmunk Chips" (banana), "Gnome-Made Granola", "Wrinkled Grapes" and "Chocolate Drops" were among the selection of goodies for the girls to use to make their special mix.

Other treats, such as pink "acorns" and "pink feather dust" were also available for the girls to nibble on during the party.

Darling "Ladybugs" were crafted carefully out of apples and chocolate frosting and were definitely a favorite to look at by all the guests.

"Snail Sandwiches" (created of strawberry cream cheese and jelly) and "Woodland Smores" (pre-melted smores served on a wooden "stump") were other delightful treats guests enjoyed (signs but food not shown).

Instead of a traditional birthday cake (originally a custom cake was designed but with the party being postponed, the birthday girl had time to change her mind!), the birthday girl opted for cupcakes that she saw at Whole Foods with her mom--pink frosted flowers, and deep raspberry-red "toadstools" with upside-down white chocolate chips.

"Dandelion Milk" (Milk) was the beverage of choice, in chocolate, strawberry or plain, as all three matched the color-scheme of the party!

The toadstool cupcakes were also an activity.

The girls were given a leaf-shaped bowl full of raspberry pink/red icing, a mini chocolate cupcake and mini white chocolate chips, where they could craft their own toadstool cupcake to enjoy or take home. A messy but fun activity and tasty treat!

Special white-chocolate (colored pale pink) dipped strawberries added the birthday girl's favorite colors of red and pink to the fairy feast, and a nest of "Fairy Berries" added beauty and natural texture to the table.

This table was tremendous fun to set up, and as you can see, the felt toadstools, whimsical wands, and jars of fairy dust were all incorporated in the decor.

The whimsical wands were all personalized with tags tied to their streaming raw silk ribbons.

The fairy dust bottles were carefully displayed in a bell jar, to be handed out by an adult at the end of the party, for the girls to take home and use as a decoration in their room.

These personalized fairy dust jars were a tremendous hit, and the girls had all sorts of ideas of how to use them! (Yes, we do offer those darling custom fairy dust, wand, frock and garland tags for special order, just send us an e-mail with your request to info@katelandersevents.com!)

Activities included "musical toad stools" using the same toad stools the girls sat on while at the table, and a dance around a "Fairy May Pole" (a natural wooden rod stuck in the ground, with long streaming ribbons carefully adhered at the top).The girls more than anything just enjoyed prancing around in circles, weaving around each other--not really making any sort of pattern at this young age, of course!

In addition to decorating their "toadstool cupcakes" they also were given little birdhouses to take home to decorate.

Each guest was given a moss-covered basket in which they were to use to gather butterflies, acorns and flowers (faux flowers and butterflies, real acorns), most of which were hidden behind "fairy doors" at the bottom of trees.

This was a lot of fun, but we made sure to have bags full of pre-alloted decorations and goodies already to go, in the event one girl ended up with fewer decorations than another.

Along with being allowed to leave the parties in their fairy costumes, they were given a copy of an enchanting fairy pop-up book (which I have seen at the store "Anthropologie"), customized with a small bookplate inside to remember the event. I was even given one of these books, and love it!

As you know I am one for lots of details and photos in my posts!

I hope our woodland fairy party may inspire and enchant you! Please contact us at info@katelandersevents.com if you are interested in us helping you create your own woodland fairy party, or if you are interested in any of the products you see featured, as many are available as a custom order.

I just came across your blog today from a http://alittleloveliness.blogspot.com/. I am a mother to three little girls and am so excited to find all of these beautiful birthday ideas. I became a follower and would love to win a "Violet Themed" party for my daughter named Violet who will turn ONE on June 15th. (We are planning the party for the 19th of June but could be persuaded to delay it until the 26th if it would be easier to get our package together if we were to win!) Rachel (Mommy to Rose 5, Pearl 3 and Violet almost 1!)

Oh Kate, this is just magical.I'm in the middle of pulling together a Woodlands Fairy party for my daughter's 6th birthday. I seriously cannot believe the similar details we have. Your work is sublime. Well done Kate.x

I am a new follower referred by the Birthday Girl. My daughters birthday is Dec. 23. I am open to birthday suggestions but her favorite right now is black and white with hot pink. I was thinking of a classic baking party where the girls decorate their own mini cakes with zebra print aprons.

This was spectacular!!! I've seen a few other "fairy" parties floating around out there in blogland, but this takes the cake for sure!

And thank you for dropping by my blog to say thank you for becoming a follower. I should be saying "thank you!"

BTW...if you have a chance you might drop by my blog to see the destruction that hit our tiny town a week ago today. Unfortunately, I had reserved the Zimmerman Barn for Mary Catherine's 6th birthday this August...it was to be her first birthday party with friends and we were doing a equestrian theme for my horse-loving daughter. Needless to say, she was beyond disappointed when she learned of the destruction that Mother Nature unleashed.

BUT, between you and Melissa Lester, I have begun to formulate a back-up plan for the August birthday. Might be easier to do a ballerina party at home anyway, since baby brother is due on or around her birthday! (Mary's other passion is dance.)

This is one of the most gorgeous parties I have yet to see. The woodland setting with all the flowers and the toadstools is absolutely amazing! Who wouldn't want to be a fairy in this enchanted setting? Thanks for all the inspiration.